The Old Maid Page #2

Oh, but I can't. You know I can't.

He's very hurt, Delia.

I haven't wanted to hurt him.

I don't see how anyone could hurt

poor Clem.

Don't.

- I didn't know you cared that much.

- You knew I loved him.

I knew you told him so.

I have to go downstairs in a few minutes.

I mustn't cry.

You won't cry if you keep saying

over and over to yourself:

"I'm marrying a Ralston.

Marrying a Ralston. "

Yes, I'm marrying a Ralston and I'm glad.

- I don't envy you.

- I don't want you to envy me.

Don't hold my marriage to Jim

against me either.

I'm fond of Jim and it seemed hopeless

to wait for Clem.

A woman can't wait forever.

I wanted children and a home.

I couldn't bear to be an old maid.

I can't imagine not waiting forever.

You think that but you don't know.

Miss Delia.

- Miss Delia.

- What is it, Dora?

It's Mr. Spender.

He came in through the back door.

- He's outside. He wants to speak to you.

- But I can't. You go.

He insists. He'll talk to you

if he has to talk at the altar.

May I come in?

I beg your pardon.

- I'm looking for someone I used to know.

- Clem, you shouldn't be here.

- Did anyone see you?

- Oh, no.

I disguised myself

as a friend of the family.

And as an added precaution,

I sneaked up the back stairs.

- You'll leave us alone.

- Of course.

No, don't.

- Well, how things have changed.

We used to strive to get rid of Charlotte

so that we could be alone, remember?

- There are things I must do.

- Of course there are.

Delia isn't afraid to be alone with me.

Or are you afraid

to be alone with me, Delia?

I didn't want you to regret later

not having seen me.

- Delia...

- Charlotte saw you.

- She told you.

- Yes.

It would have been considerate

if you hadn't come.

I was curious. I wanted to see

if you were as beautiful as the girl...

...I've been carrying in my imagination

these last two years.

Well, you're not. Not that it's your fault.

No one this side of heaven could be

that beautiful or faithful or steadfast.

- I didn't go away. You did.

- That's right.

We were to be married.

My family, even my friends had been told.

You must have known

it would humiliate me.

You knew I wanted to make

a success of myself for you.

I meant to keep that promise,

settle down.

- Have you kept it, Clem?

- No.

Just the same as I always was

and always will be.

I didn't plan to hurt you, Clem.

You haven't,

any more than you've hurt yourself.

That's the pity.

Poor Delia, condemned to a life

of elegant boredom.

I'm not. I love Jim.

Oh, yes, I can imagine that.

Then I can imagine a person

developing a consuming passion...

...for the First National Bank.

It isn't the money. Don't dare think that.

I believe you. The trouble with you, Delia,

is you're too conventional.

You only want what it's nice to want.

I only want

what it's every woman's right to have:

A home and a family,

a decent amount of faithfulness...

...and security from my husband.

What else is there for a woman?

Can you ask me that?

Don't you know what there could be

for you and me?

A little happy poverty perhaps,

but excitement, adventure and us.

All our lives we'll want each other.

Uselessly, cruelly.

I'm gonna pick you up,

take you down the back stairs...

It's too late. I've made my decision.

I'm marrying Jim Ralston.

That's all I'm going to say.

Go, please.

All right.

Marry your nice Mr. Ralston.

Some day when you're bored,

perhaps you have nothing better to do...

...you'll think about the things

you've made us miss.

I have come to take you down.

Hello, Spender.

- How do you do?

- Clem came to wish me happiness.

- Yes, of course.

- By the way, I almost forgot.

I brought this for you.

Funny.

When I bought it, I thought

it was going to be an engagement present.

- Goodbye, Delia. Lots of happiness.

- Thank you.

- Goodbye, sir.

- Goodbye.

Oh, Dr. Lanskell, it's something blue.

Come, my dear.

Clem.

Clem.

Oh, I was worried for you,

Miss Charlotte.

Your grandma's awakened twice,

asked if you was in.

And I told a lie. I said you was.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

You go to bed, Dora, and I'll be up.

Oh, Miss Charlotte.

Goodbye, Charlotte.

What's the matter?

Oh, little Charlotte.

Oh, I should be the one to weep

but I don't.

Supposing you had come home

expecting to find everything...

...and there was nothing.

Nothing even to live for?

- That's why I'm so worried for you, Clem.

- Oh, please don't worry about me.

I'm all right.

I'll be leaving immediately.

- To this war?

- Well, what other war is there?

War makes you forget,

sometimes rather quickly.

- Lf I could do anything...

- You have.

You've been sweet.

Sweet little Charlotte.

Pretty little Charlotte.

Don't you know what happens to you

means more to me than anything?

You mustn't say that.

You mustn't.

But I have said it.

But I'm not worth it, Charlotte.

Yes, you are. I think you are.

Don't laugh at me.

How could I laugh

at anyone so sincere, so kind?

Charlotte.

What's the matter?

What are you doing here?

Clem, he's leaving.

Clem?

Yes, in a few minutes.

I can't find him.

There he is.

Time to load, general.

- Clem.

- Charlotte. Oh, you brought Delia with you.

- Hello, Clem.

- Hello.

- It's nice to see you before I leave.

- The best of luck.

And the same to you always, Delia.

Thank you.

Ralston has turned his factories

into munitions.

See that he sends plenty along to us.

We'll need it.

I will, lieutenant.

I'll use all I can.

And I'll remember that every shot

will make you richer.

- Thank you, Clem.

- Goodbye, Delia.

Goodbye.

Step, company.

Step lively, men. Step up there.

Clem, come back?

I'll try.

I'll try, really.

- Please, Clem.

All aboard.

The train's moving.

There's so much left unsaid. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

I think we can

feed him up a bit, though, don't you?

Oh, isn't she sweet?

Dora, you know, I am worried about Tina.

Oh, she's been playing hard

and she's warm and tired.

- Tell me, what are the first symptoms?

- Sometimes they turn blue.

- Oh, Dora, don't say things like that.

Well?

There's the doctor now.

There they are. Ha-ha.

- Hello, everybody.

You did come.

Well, well, you worry, worry, worry.

Tina's not as strong as the others.

I thought she might have it.

Well, where is the invalid, you alarmist?

I've kept her away from the others.

- I thought she might have a little fever.

- Well, well, well.

Hello, sweetheart.

Hello.

How does she look?

Pretty as a picture.

Oh, you know what I mean.

- Open your mouth, darling. Say "ah. " Ah.

Now, open your mouth wide. That's it.

Well, how many children

have you got here now?

Oh, about 22.

- They keep coming?

- Yes. Two more today.

I can't refuse them.

You've been such a help.

Well, you're doing a splendid job here.

If I had more isolation spots like this,

we could keep this thing under control.

Never mind that.

Is there anything wrong with her?

Well, I think I shall prescribe...

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